The U.S. Department of Labor declared "American Jobs are for American workers" amid ongoing H-1B visa controversy. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified President Trump holds a "nuanced opinion" on the program, stating he opposes replacing American workers and wants manufacturing industry revitalization. Trump recently raised H-1B visa fees to $100,000 sixty times the previous cost claiming visas were "abused" to undercut wages and outsource IT jobs. However, Trump appears to be softening his stance, telling Fox News that America needs "skilled immigrant workers" in key industries. Leavitt explained that while Trump wants American workers prioritized, he supports temporary foreign workers for establishing manufacturing facilities producing niche products like batteries. (PC: X)

At the Organization for Security and Co‑operation in Europe (OSCE) annual council in Vienna, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha asserted that his country seeks a definitive peace — not a repeat of historical concessions that emboldened aggressors. He referenced the 1938 Munich Agreement, warning that “bad peace deals only lead to catastrophe.” Sybiha pledged to seize “every opportunity to try to end this war” while rejecting any settlement that merely appeases Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Meanwhile, the OSCE — including Russia, the U.S. and 55 other nations — is being positioned as a forum for post-war settlement discussions, reportedly with Switzerland aiming to launch a monitoring mission. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will still visit New York even though incoming mayor Zohran Mamdani has threatened to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him. Netanyahu, speaking at the New York Times Dealbook forum, said he would talk to Mamdani only if the mayor-elect accepts Israel’s right to exist. Mamdani has said he supports Israel’s existence but not the idea of a Jewish state. He has also vowed to direct police to arrest leaders wanted by the ICC, including Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin. Experts say such an arrest is unlikely and may exceed a mayor’s authority. (PC: NDTV)

Israel said the body handed over by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad has been identified as Thai worker Suthisak Rintalak. He was killed during the 7 October 2023 attack and taken to Gaza. His return means only one more dead hostage remains to be handed over under the ceasefire deal. Israeli leaders expressed deep sorrow and promised to bring home the last hostage, police officer Ran Gvili. Rintalak moved to Israel in 2017 and worked on farms near the Gaza border. Thailand thanked Israel for its help. The ceasefire remains tense, with both sides accusing each other of violations. (PC: BBC)

Two women died and more than a dozen people were taken to hospital after a suspected toxic gas leak in the Kenduadih area of Dhanbad, Jharkhand. The victims, Priyanka Devi and Lalita Devi, died on Wednesday evening and early Thursday. Locals said the deaths were caused by “gas exposure,” which has created fear in the area. Officials said the exact cause will be known only after post-mortem reports. Angry villagers blocked the Dhanbad-Ranchi road and burned tyres in protest. Authorities are trying to find the source of the suspected leak and are monitoring the health of affected residents. (PC: HT)

In a pointed attack from his prison cell at Adiala Jail, former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan accused army chief Asim Munir of intentionally escalating tensions with neighbouring Afghanistan, alleging the move is designed to boost Munir’s international profile and curry favour with Western powers. Khan claimed Munir’s policies have been “disastrous” for Pakistan’s national security, citing refugee expulsions, drone strikes, and rising terrorism. He described Munir as a “mentally unstable man” whose moral failings have led to the collapse of law in Pakistan. Khan also detailed his own confinement, accusing authorities of serious human-rights violations. (PC: India Today)

A jet from the United States Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team—an F-16C Fighting Falcon—crashed Wednesday morning near Trona Airport in Southern California’s Mojave Desert during a training flight. The pilot ejected safely around 10:45 a.m. local time and was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The aircraft erupted into flames on impact, sending a large plume of black smoke into the sky, and authorities confirmed the scene posed no immediate threat to nearby terrain. An investigation by the United States Air Force is underway to determine the cause. 

Meta has started removing Australian children under 16 from Instagram, Facebook, and Threads ahead of the country’s social media ban on 10 December. Around 500,000 accounts are expected to be affected. The law fines companies up to A$49.5 million for failing to block under-16s. Teens can download their posts or request age verification if wrongly identified. The ban aims to protect children from harmful content, cyberbullying, and online grooming. Other platforms like YouTube, TikTok, X, Snapchat, and Reddit are also included. Critics warn the move may isolate children or push them to less-regulated apps. (PC: X)

A record 74,000 Indian students left the UK in 2025, raising concerns about stricter visa and dependant rules. New policies, including limits on postgraduate dependants and uncertainty around post-study work visas, are driving students away. Experts say this trend could hurt universities heavily dependent on international fee revenue, with potential budget shortfalls and course closures. Countries like Australia, Dubai, and Germany are attracting Indian students with clearer pathways and longer work options. Education specialists urge the UK to stabilize the Graduate Route, revisit dependant rules, and offer transparent immigration policies to restore student confidence and maintain its global competitiveness. (PC: India Today)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun a two-day visit to Delhi for a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaders will discuss new oil and defence deals as India faces pressure from the US to cut Russian crude imports. Washington has raised tariffs on Indian goods, pushing ties to a low point. Modi aims to protect India’s “strategic autonomy” by staying close to Moscow while keeping doors open to the West. India wants faster delivery of Russian weapons, including S-400 units, and more space for Indian products in Russia’s market. The visit will test India’s balance between security, trade and global politics. (PC: BBC)